Unless the provision or context otherwise requires, these definitions govern the construction of this code.

“Action” includes a civil action and a criminal action.

“Burden of producing evidence” means the obligation of a party to introduce evidence sufficient to avoid a ruling against him on the issue.

“Burden of proof” means the obligation of a party to establish by evidence a requisite degree of belief concerning a fact in the mind of the trier of fact or the court. The burden of proof may require a party to raise a reasonable doubt concerning the existence or nonexistence of a fact or that he establish the existence or nonexistence of a fact by a preponderance of the evidence, by clear and convincing proof, or by proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

Except as otherwise provided by law, the burden of proof requires proof by a preponderance of the evidence.

“Civil action” includes civil proceedings.

“Conduct” includes all active and passive behavior, both verbal and nonverbal.

“Criminal action” includes criminal proceedings.

“Declarant” is a person who makes a statement.

“Evidence” means testimony, writings, material objects, or other things presented to the senses that are offered to prove the existence or nonexistence of a fact.

“The hearing” means the hearing at which a question under this code arises, and not some earlier or later hearing.

“Hearsay evidence” is defined in Section 1200.

“Law” includes constitutional, statutory, and decisional law.

“Oath” includes affirmation or declaration under penalty of perjury.

“Perceive” means to acquire knowledge through one’s senses.

“Person” includes a natural person, firm, association, organization, partnership, business trust, corporation, limited liability company, or public entity.

“Dependent person” means a person, regardless of whether the person lives independently, who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially restricts his or her ability to carry out normal activities or to protect his or her rights, including, but not limited to, persons who have physical or developmental disabilities or whose physical or mental abilities have significantly diminished because of age. “Dependent person” includes any person who is admitted as an inpatient to a 24-hour health facility, as defined in Sections 1250, 1250.2, and 1250.3 of the Health and Safety Code.

“Personal property” includes money, goods, chattels, things in action, and evidences of debt.

“Property” includes both real and personal property.

“Proof” is the establishment by evidence of a requisite degree of belief concerning a fact in the mind of the trier of fact or the court.

“Public employee” means an officer, agent, or employee of a public entity.